Outram man's lifelong passion to help shepherds train dogs

Emma Bell puts her dog through its paces at Johnny McIntyre's "Clachaig'' farm in Outram.

Passing on years of knowledge and teaching young shepherds the art of sheep dog training is a labour of love for one Outram man.

Semi-retired stockman and slaughterman Johnny McIntyre said there was nothing more he loved doing than helping young people train their dogs.

Mr McIntyre, now 70, grew up on the Taieri from humble beginnings and said he was lucky to have people teach him over the years.

Learning the best way to train are (front) Emma Bell and Taylor Hulse from experts (back) Johnny McIntyre (left) and Graham White.

''I have been taught by experts, now I have my own farm and it's my turn to pass on what I've learned.''

Although he had successes during his years competing in dog trials, he said he got ''more of a buzz'' out of teaching.

''The boys are trying to get me to compete ... but, I'm more passionate about helping others.''

Alongside keeping his dogs up to scratch, Mr McIntyre had also previously been a member of the City of Dunedin Pipe Band for more than 30 years.

Rural life runs in the family, with Mr McIntyre and wife Margaret's two children, Scotty and Heather, both working in the industry.

Mr McIntyre said there was a need for more shepherds and he was always keen to encourage females to take up the occupation.

''I enjoy helping out the young girls, there's more and more coming on to the scene ... I wholeheartedly agree with them doing it.''

"Clachaig'' farm owner Johnny McIntyre sits with the statue of the Highland dog at the front gate of the property.

Barewood Station stock manager Taylor Hulse and shepherd Emma Bell are just two people who have been lucky enough to learn under the watchful eye of Mr McIntyre.

The farm, located between Outram and Middlemarch, runs 30,000 stock units, so there was always plenty of work to be done with dogs, the pair said.

Miss Bell has been a shepherd there for the past two months, and said Mr McIntyre had been a big help.

''Two months ago I wouldn't have known any of this stuff.''

She said not only was he a great teacher but he always had a funny yarn to tell.

Mr Hulse said he had been getting tips from Mr McIntyre for the ''last couple of years and they're always really good''.

''It's very good of him to take time out of his life to help us young ones.''

Graham White, who also lives on the Taieri, was previously the president of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Association.

He had ''known Johnny for years'' and sometimes followed-up on Mr McIntyre's training by helping people go on to dog trialling.

It had been good to see the sport of dog trialling get stronger of the past few years, Mr White said.

''When I started out, the old boys would say hard luck, but now there's plenty of people to help.''